The profile of the sports manager between training misunderstandings and impact on internal stakeholders

Purpose: This study aims to understand internal stakeholders’ perceptions of the new legislative provisions introduced in Italy regarding the professional figure of the sports manager, and to evaluate their understanding and the concrete application of these provisions. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 60 presidents and managers of sports associations and clubs in the province of Salerno. The questions seek to probe stakeholders’ perceptions on the liking, appropriateness, and usefulness of sports manager. The validity and reliability of the questions were calculated. A chi-square (χ2) analysis was performed to check for significant differences in perception. Results: From the results, it was possible to appreciate a discordance of opinions between the stakeholders. Differences in perception emerged concerning the conviction that this professional figure should be integrated within the sports organization chart (χ2 = 7.84; P = .001), for the contribution that the manager can make in terms of improvement to the sports company (χ2 = 7.84; P = .001) and for the most appropriate training path for exercising this profession (χ2 = 7.76; P =.001). Conclusions: The perceptual contradictions found in the stakeholders’ answers show how the complexity of the recent regulatory provisions and the assumed equivalences to the title of sports manager have generated additional confusion compared to the ordinary one. Keywords: exercise and sport sciences, manager, sports law, professional sport profile